Aurora City Council approves mayoral appointments, suspends rules and clears consent agenda in unanimous votes

The Aurora City Council on Dec. 14 unanimously approved a package of mayoral appointments, moved to consider new business, and adopted a consent agenda that included a redevelopment agreement assignment and several special service-area ordinances.

Council action: The council approved a resolution appointing six members to the Sister Cities Commission (Resolution 240974) by voice vote after a motion from Alderman Smith and a second from Alderman Seville. The council also approved the mayor’s appointment of Richard Totas to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission (Resolution 240985) and reappointed three members to the Aurora Veterans Advisory Board (Resolution 240986). Later, under new business, the council approved Resolution 250033, appointing six members to the Music, Events and Entertainment Commission.

A larger consent package passed by roll call included ordinances and resolutions read into the record by the clerk. Items read on the consent agenda included: - Assignment of a redevelopment agreement for property at 7 South Broadway and related project timeline modification and collateral assignment (Resolution 250001). - Ordinance extending the tax levy for Special Service Area No. 90 for Plum Street/Howard Avenue improvements for five years (Ordinance 240961). - Ordinances expanding Special Service Areas 208 (Lincoln Crossing South), 212 (Del Webb Phase 3) and 217 (Del Webb Phase 3) (Ordinances 240978, 240979, 240980). - Resolutions accepting improvements and maintenance security for multiple sites including the Meridian Shopping Center Wild Fork site (Resolution 241010), Fox Valley Mall temporary plaza area (Resolution 241011), Lot 2 of U-Haul Center Subdivision at 4441 Ogden Avenue (Resolution 250008), and Bright Oaks Aurora Memory Care at 1340 North River Street (Resolution 250019). - Approval of the minutes of the Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 city council meeting (Resolution 250027).

Roll-call outcomes: For the items called by roll, the clerk recorded 11 yes, 0 no on each roll call; the mayor declared the motions carried. The council also approved payment of bills by roll call (11 yes, 0 no) and adjourned the meeting by voice vote.

Question on facility name and refund: During the consent agenda discussion Alderman Lesh questioned the name used for Resolution 250019 (Bright Oaks Aurora Memory Care). Ken Shroff, public works director, told the council that the city is using the legal name that appears in documents dating to 2011 and that legal staff are working on identifying the proper refund recipient; he said the cash was taken after a letter of credit was drawn when the original developer went out of business.

Procedure notes: Council moved to suspend the rules to consider new business (motion by Alderman Smith, second by Alderman Tolliver), and no items were removed from the consent agenda after opportunities for questions. Multiple motions were made and seconded from the dais as recorded in the minutes; when a mover/second was stated on the floor the clerk proceeded with roll-call votes.

Votes at a glance: (All outcomes recorded as approved in the meeting) - Resolution 240974 — Appoint 6 members to Sister Cities Commission — motion: Alderman Smith; second: Alderman Seville; outcome: approved (voice/roll call as recorded). - Resolution 240985 — Appoint Richard Totas to Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Commission — motion: Alderman Smith; second: Alderman Franco; outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 240986 — Reappoint David Telner, Michael Carrasco and Joshua Pfeiffer to the Aurora Veterans Advisory Board — motion: Alderman Smith; second: Alderman Franco; outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 250033 — Appoint 6 members to Music, Events and Entertainment Commission — motion: Alderman Smith; second: Alderman Garza; outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 250001 — Assignment of redevelopment agreement for 7 South Broadway and related actions — outcome: approved (roll call 11–0). - Ordinance 240961 — Extend tax levy for SSA No. 90 (Plum Street/Howard Ave) for five years — outcome: approved (roll call 11–0). - Ordinance 240978 — Expand SSA No. 208 (Lincoln Crossing South) — outcome: approved (roll call 11–0). - Ordinance 240979 — Expand SSA No. 212 (Del Webb Phase 3) — outcome: approved (roll call 11–0). - Ordinance 240980 — Expand SSA No. 217 (Del Webb Phase 3) — outcome: approved (roll call 11–0). - Resolution 241010 — Accept improvements/maintenance security for Wild Fork site, Meridian Shopping Center — outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 241011 — Accept improvements/maintenance security for Fox Valley Mall temporary plaza area — outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 250008 — Accept improvements/maintenance security for Lot 2, U-Haul Center Subdivision — outcome: approved (11–0). - Resolution 250019 — Accept improvements and waive maintenance security for Bright Oaks Aurora Memory Care (1340 N. River St.) — outcome: approved (11–0); clerk and staff to determine correct payee for refund from funds held dating to 2011. - Resolution 250027 — Approval of minutes, Dec. 17, 2024 — outcome: approved (11–0).

No items were tabled or failed during the meeting. The council adjourned after approving the bills and taking no further unfinished business.

A full transcript of roll calls and motions is part of the meeting record.